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MGM Springfield is launching a push to attract job seekers, as the company prepares to fill thousands of jobs ahead of the $950 million gaming complex's opening in the fall of 2018.

The campaign, which already includes billboard, radio, digital and print advertisements and will feature television ads in the coming months, is designed to raise awareness of hundreds of posted job descriptions to local workers, MGM said in a statement.

"We want MGM Springfield employees to reflect their community, which will ultimately enrich our property and the customer experience," MGM Resort's Vice President of Talent and Workforce Development Wanda Gispert said. "We are deeply passionate about developing our workforce because we know a good career has the ability to lift a family and put them on the path to a brighter future."

MGM has launched a job portal using SkillSmart, a platform that allows applicants to see how their career skills match up with available jobs. Jobseekers can create profiles that will match their experience to available positions, and link them to courses at local colleges that can make them stronger candidates.

Many of the jobs, which range from entry level porter positions to casino floor managers and executive chefs, will not open for applications until next year. The goal, Gispert said, is to give prospective employees time to tailor their skills before applications officially open.\

"One of the reasons we wanted to launch this is for jobs available now, and to let them know what jobs are coming," she said.

MGM has pledged to create 3,000 jobs, with 35 percent of workers being Springfield residents and 90 percent coming from the region.

Currently, high level culinary, gaming and financial positions are open, as well as jobs with the MassMutual Center, which MGM assumed management of in July. MGM expects to spend $90 million in annual payroll and jobs will have an average salary of $40,000, the company said.

Over 250 job descriptions are currently online, though only a small fraction are open for applications. Fields range from information technology and human resources to accounting, security, food service and casino operations. MGM said it expects to receive an average of 40 applications for each position.

Large scale hiring will begin next year, and the company is partnering with the state Department of Labor and local nonprofits and educational facilities to recruit, Gispert said.

"The biggest piece is just sharing and giving people the information," she said.

Next year, the company will launch multiple job training programs. The MGM Resorts Holyoke Community College Center for Culinary Arts, which has already begun offering free training to Holyoke residents, will being offering credit classes in January. The MGM/Massachusetts Casino Career Training Institute Gaming School will also open in January, at 95 State Street in Springfield.